Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Problems of the mathematical kind

My sister called me tonight. She was helping my nephew with his math homework, and had a word problem they were stumped on. Feeling a little ashamed about my laziness in math at school, I said I'd write down the problem and try to work it out. I didn't want to let my nephew down. What if I have kids and can't help them with their homework? The problem went like this:
Sue earned $18 in 2 weeks. She earned $4 more dollars this week than last. How much did she earn each week?*

I immediately thought that it was a trick, so I started scribbling on the back of a magazine, working out different equations. Then I figured it out.

I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I'm a little too hermitlike and selfish to ever become a parent. I like messing around on my laptop at night, watching long hours of programs on DVD, drinking beer. I'm too lousy at math and like to treat myself to having my eyebrows waxed, eat tater tots for dinner and swear a bit too much. This doesn't seem much like motherhood fabric. I guess I'd make a good buddy.

*$7 + $11 = $18

2 comments:

CBK said...

I like that, too (not the math or eyebrows, though), and I think I'm a good parent. Of course, it may be different for a father than a mother.

You are a thoughtful, fun, caring person. That's all you need.

Malathionman said...

Hey Buddy,

x + x +4= 18
2x+4=18
2x=18-4
x=14/2
x=7
x+4=11

:)